CD Reviews

Charming and Sweet with a Touch of Sly

Nicole Harpe | 02/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fine cd. Rosie's voice has mellowed over the years and on this recording it is dark and has a touch of the velvet fog in it, but it works. The arrangements range from simpler guitar accompaniment (Turn Around) to big band sounds (That Face and others). The arrangements are solid and work within the framework of the songs. Songs that can take bigger sounds get them and those that can't are done more simply. I have arranged music in the past and I don't see much of anything wrong here.There is a lot of personality in the music and in the performances. While her voice isn't as crystalline as it once was, the nuances Rosie puts into lyrics make up for it. You can "hear" the twinkle in her eyes when she sings "Sisters". She also handles "God Bless the Child" with a lot of soul. The Irving Berlin tune "Always" is here and I'm glad. It's an incredible lyric that is perfectly handled musically. The arrangement here is light and open, delicate and done well.You have to like Rosie to like this cd. I don't think this collection will make anyone a convert, but in terms of selection and quality of performance, this is a good one to add to your Rosie collection. It is also a great one to listen to with your mom!"

Clooney Scores !

Nicole Harpe | 08/05/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Miss Clooney has a concept CD that celebrates mothers and daughters in song. Good idea, fine result! She misses on a few selections but they don't detract from the composite. Leaving aside Sinatra, there are only two other artists that can handle a ballad with only a piano for company. One is the vastly underrated Dean Martin ( much of whose best work is found on His Dream With Dean CD and also on unrecorded performances from his hit TV show) and Miss Clooney. Listen to ALWAYS and WRAP YOUR TROUBLES IN DREAMS and you'll see what I mean. She and her longtime accompianist John Oddo are like hand and glove. While celebrating mothers and daughters, there is no reason for fathers and sons (and brothers too for that matter), not to enjoy!"

A loving tribute from mothers to daughters

D. Movahedpour | CA United States | 08/06/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rosemary Clooney was one of the greatest pop standard vocalists of the last century. Later in her career, she was able to explore the types of music she enjoyed singing, rather than what was commercially successful. In this 1997 album, she pays tribute to the women in her life: her daughters, daughters-in-law, and grand-daughters. The relationship between a mother and daughter is a rare and special one, and many of these songs bring this to light very effectively.

The best songs on the album are the classic 'Turn Around' (a duet with Keith Carradine), 'Baby Mine' and 'Always', as far as suiting her voice, and suiting the subject matter. The entire album is relaxing, touching, and a must-have for moms and their daughters alike."